Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Ooooooo! It's almost October and I've got Halloween fever! This past weekend was my Halloween shoot with Renee Ricket Photography. We had a glorious day at historic Forest Home Cemetery in Greenville setting up fun backdrops, creating spooky photos and making memories! I love Forest Home Cemetery because it's a beautiful 32 acre garden cemetery with hills, trees and bordered by three lakes. There are elaborate monuments and glorious mausoleums at every turn, our fall and Halloween shoot could not have had a more perfect setting. Thank you to Friends of Forest Home Cemetery for welcoming us, all of their hard work and dedication to restoring Forest Home to it's former glory! Visit the Friends of Forest Home Cemetery Facebook page for historic tidbits and gorgeous photos or to make a donation. Here is a sneak Peak!!

This weeks Wishful Wednesday is fun, fabulous and spooky style with a Halloween theme. Most of the items can be mixed and matched for tons of fun combos but these are my favorite pieces for adding fall flair!

4. Katrina Parker Frocks Scaredy Cats Skirt.
Scaredy Cats is a playful, gathered skirt that falls just below the knee with a two inch waistband. This skirt has a purple background with the most adorable print of kitties having comical adventures in a haunted house. The material for this skirt is extremely limited, so add this creepy creation to your closet quick!

5. Heidi and Gretel Pumpkin Pot Brooch. Obe of the most iconic images of Halloween, the pumpkin shaped candy pot is something most of us has owned in our lives and this brooch is a fabulous way to wear a piece of childhood nostagia!

6. Summer Blue Jewelry Stray Cat Strut Brooch. A cool Bakelite (Fakelite) style Halloween cat brooch in classic black with white detail and big colored eyes for a truly vintage feel! Molded from an old Halloween cat piece from the 60's. The perfect finishing touch to any spooky, Gothic, or every day is Halloween vintage-inspired outfit.

7. Folter Retrolicious Seasons Dress. This beautiful autumn landscape print dress transports me to my favorite spots in the intoxicating autumn that we enjoy here in Michigan. A fitted bodice with a full skirt, a V-plunge back and cap sleeves with cut out detail.
Colorful, whimsical and stunning!!

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and Facebook for behind the scenes, outfit of the day posts and tons more fun!! Tomorrow I'm shooting at the apple orchard so stay tuned for more fantastic fall photos!

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Good day to everyone! I apologize for my long absence from blogging but I've been super busy with my job, planning photo shoots, working on blog collaborations and spending time with my family enjoying the unseasonably warm weather here in Michigan.

Last weekend, I enjoyed my favorite yearly treat, a trip to the Michigan Renaissance Festival with family and friends. I love all historical eras and the beautiful and varied costuming of the renaissance era appeals to my love of dressing up!

I purchased my gorgeous chemise, satin skirt and real dried leaf head dress at the festival, where they have dozens of amazing shops peddling everything from my favorite incense to didgeridoos. My halter top, buckle front underbust leather corset is from Hips and Curves, this exact style is unfortunately discontinued but they have several similar leather styles available. My Scarlet moccasins from Bearpaw were the perfect walking shoe for a long day watching live music, peeking fabulous sideshows and enjoying a huge variety of tasty food from the festival rite of passage, the turkey drumstick to delectable gyros and soup in a bread bowl. Live jousting is hair raising entertainment performed several times daily. The grounds are gloriously landscaped and there are multitudes of amazingly unique personalities in minutely detailed period costumes along with fairies, elves and many of your favorite fantasy characters from films, making the fest a delight for all your senses!! The Michigan Renaissance Festival is a place of fantasy and fun, a fantastical leap backward in time!

This week's Wishful Wednesday was inspired by this fabulous Buzzfeed video:

First of all, I love how it shows that pinup is empowering for anyone! Alfie Jean says that pinup is a gentleman, it holds the door open for any lady and she's correct, a pinup shoot will boost your confidence, plus it's a ton of fun!! There are different styles of pinup and many gifted photographers, I encourage you to find your personal inspiration and go for it!!!

Second, this absolutely breathtaking Elizabeth dress in English Rose from Retrospec'd was featured. I'm smitten and I had to put together my dream outfit!! This gorgeous cotton dress features all over rose print, wrap top and a gorgeous full skirt. Perfect for many different occasions and pretty as the roses upon it! Underneath, I must wear a glorious ruffled petticoat and the Malco Modes Jennifer in Ruby Red available from Pinup Girl Clothing is a match made in heaven!

I would pair this with the Pinup Girl Clothing Gothic Lace Bolero in Dark Green. This bolero is the perfect thing to wear when you want coverage but not too much warmth yet the derp green color makes me long to wear it for fancy Christmas parties. Decadently dreamy with its all-lace body trimmed in ruffled lace at the neckline and cuffs. The high neckline and dark green stretch velvet trim add yet more glamour.

I love Irregular Choice and their crazy, unique designs. Their selections features styles from the elegant to the absurd but all are highly fashionable! I would wear the drop dead hot Sher Bert heels in Red. I love the sophisticated look of the buckle toe, scalloped edge and polka dot detail, giving us that little lattice look garden detail to our flowery ensemble.

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

It may be hot outside but it's September and my heart is already in the mood for fall! My inspiration for this week's Wishful Wednesday is Autumn in Michigan. Intoxicating colors, cool temperatures, pumpkins, cider and falling leaves!

I love Vivien of Holloway. I've had the privilege to collaborate with them in the past. Their line of high quality vintage reproduction clothing always provides the perfect retro styles for any occasion. As a beautiful autumn colored beginning, I chose the 1950s Tangerine Halter Neck Dress. Gorgeous bright tangerine colored cotten sateen dress with a classic halter neckline, a boned bodice that neatly nips the waist and a full circle skirt give us the perfect vintage silhouette.

I just discovered the absolutely amazing Summer Blue Jewelry on Instagram and I'm smitten!! Summer Blue Jewlry specializes in one of a kind pieces that are handmade using vintage elements, as well as new findings, and some custom molds. Since all of the pieces are hand-made they will vary slightly from piece to piece.

Summer Blue carries such an incredible selection of vintage style Lucite accessories. I love that there are styles available to fit any outfit, season or holiday. I'm Autumn obsessed so I chose the Great Pumpkin Waltz Brooch, Acorn in the Meadow Earrings and Acorn in the Meadow Necklace. The Great Pumpkin Waltz brooch is a gorgeous green sparkle Lucite accented by bright orange pumpkins and leaves dangling from a black chain, perfect for fall, Halloween or harvest outfits. This brooch contrasts but matches our dress and will add whimsy to our look. The Acorn in the Meadow Earrings are sparkly confetti Lucite drop style dangling acorns with pretty sparkly button top. These lovely earrings coordinate perfectly with the brooch and the Acorn in the Meadow Necklace, confetti Lucite acorns, brass and marbled Lucite beaded acorns, citrine yellow ferns, and vintage Moonglow Lucite Oak leaves dangling from a complimentary plastic chain. These accessories scream fall in the forest, I cannot help but long to wear such lovely objects!!

To finish off this look I chose the luxuriant Lila Velvet Heels from Miss L Fire's absolutely fabulous upcoming Autumn/Winter 2015 line. I am a huge fan of velvet, I love the way it embraces my skin in its soft warmth. These hot velvet heels feature a double bow detailed peep toe, ankle strap and 4 inch high heels. They are the ultimate shoe for many different Autumn looks and I chose them for their neutral, earthy style.

I hope you have enjoyed my musings as much as I enjoy sharing! Don't forget to follow me on Instagram and also on Facebook, where I currently hosting a giveaway!!

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

September is here and summer is nearly coming to a close. It's been a beautiful season full of adventures! I've done fun shoots, tried new things, met amazing new people and enjoyed every second!

I love cooking, so when I saw that Alfie Jean's Pinup Charm School and Put A Smile In It Photography were teaming up for a kitchen disaster themed shoot, I had to be there! Alfie Jean's Pinup Charm School is a comprehensive pinup class that teaches the history of pinup, makeup, hair and posing. Alfie Jean is an infinitely gorgeous old soul, who obviously loves sharing her retro knowledge and empowering other women. I cannot speak enough praise or recommend either Alfie Jean's Pinup Charm School or Brandy at Put A Smile In It Photography, highly enough. They are beautiful, talented ladies who know their craft and truly exude a love for others that makes working with them as comfortable as spending time with an old friend.

Fortuitous timing introduced me at the same time to the fabulous Katrina Parker Frocks, who offer a lovely selection of hand crafted vintage styled plus dresses in sizes 0x-4x and whimsical accessories. Katrina Parker Frocks philosophy is that clothing should be fun. The idea that plus girls should have a love or hate relationship with food is absurd and Katrina Parker Frocks turns it on its head with their delicious novelty prints. I contacted Katrina Parker Frocks because I fell in love with their philosophy and fanciful food based novelty prints, they were kind enough to sponsor my dress for this shoot.

I chose the Whoopie Pie in the Sky Dress and it is absolute joy!! Chocolate-y whoopie pies decorated with bright colored sprinkles and chocolate chips dance over a bright pink background. This dress fits as delightful as it looks. I'm wearing a size 2x and it fits just right. The dress is made of super soft 100 percent cotton and fully lined, but be aware there is no stretch, so be sure to measure carefully and order according to your measurements.

The bodice is fitted onto an adorable pleated full skirt that bells out in a graceful manner. I love the vintage style and shape, the dress is flattering to women of many different shapes. A wonderful surprise but welcome addition to this dress are pockets cleverly hidden in the folds of the skirt, perfect for tucking away your cell phone or money when you cannot carry a bag.

I look delectable in this dress and love the cheerful brightness I feel when I wear it. It was a hit with the other pinup gals at my photoshoot and I have recieved multiple compliments wearing it in my day to day life as well. I love my Katrina Parker Frocks Whoopie Pie in the Sky Dress and I cannot wait to see what they come up with next!!

I am excited to be able to offer my readers an exclusive discount for 20% off purchases at Katrina Parker Frocks until September 30, 2015.

Katrina Parker Frocks has been very generous and I am also hosting a giveaway! One lucky lady will win a gift certificate for half off your purchase from Katrina Parker Frocks!! This giveaway will run for One Week on my Sassy Scarlet Facebook page, beginning today September 1, 2015 and ending at 7 PM EST on Tuesday, September 8, 2015. The winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday, September 9 and posted on Facebook by 1 PM EST! Good luck!!